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When is the Best Time to Visit Tibet and Nepal? An Ultimate Guide

Last Update: September 23, 2024

Tibet and Nepal make for a great combined tour. Their shared culture allows you to be more immersed in the Himalayan region, while the wide variety of geography and natural features creates distinctive travel experiences. Choosing the right time to visit both places takes a little planning. Here’s the ultimate guide for finding the best time to visit Tibet and Nepal.

Overall Weather in Tibet and Nepal

Tibet and Nepal share some climate features, but also have their own weather unique to each region.

Tibet Climate and Weather

The Tibetan Plateau, with an average elevation of 4,500 meters, is known as the ‘Roof of the World.’ Its unique geography can make for a challenging climate that often has cold and dry weather conditions.

Summers in Tibet are often mild. Daytime temperatures can rise into the mid-20s, but July and August also see the most rain. Spring and autumn, April-May, and September-October are cool, but average temperatures stay above freezing. It’s a popular time to travel to Tibet as the low levels of precipitation make for clear blue skies.

The Potala PalaceVisiting Lhasa city in spring is a good choice.

Winter in Tibet is long, lasting from November to March. It is mostly January and December that see average temperatures below 0°c, but expect freezing conditions at night during the whole winter season.

Nepal Climate and Weather

Nepal’s diverse geography creates a wide range of climate conditions. The climate varies with the altitude. In the lowland plains of the south, you’ll find tropical weather; the mid-hill region is primarily temperate, and the high mountain region has alpine conditions.

There are two kinds of seasons in Nepal. The country has the four seasons found in many other places and a monsoon season that divides the year into wet and dry seasons.

Nepal PokharaNepal basically has two seasons.

In the Terai region, the lowland plains, summer is from March to June. Temperatures can rise to over 40°c, but humidity is low until June. When the monsoon season starts, there is heavy rainfall, hot weather, and high humidity lasting until September. Autumn, in October and November, is pleasant with lower rainfall and many days under 30°c. Winter is cooler and dry, with average temperatures in the low 20s.

The area around Kathmandu has a mild spring from March to May, with warm temperatures averaging 24-28°c. June to August is the monsoon season with heavy rain, hot temperatures, and high humidity. Autumn lasts from September to November, with warm temperatures and many days with clear skies. Winter is usually more cool than cold, but from December until February it can get chilly, particularly at night.

Pashupatinath TempleKathmandu has a mild spring.

In the high mountain region, particularly in areas above 4,500 meters, summers are short and mild, but nights remain cold. From September to November, autumn brings rapidly cooling weather with clear skies. In winter, from December to February, we can see extremely cold temperatures with high winds and a lot of snow. Conditions start to warm between March and May, but the weather remains cold until summer.

Best Time to Visit Tibet: April to October

The weather conditions from April to October are the most popular for visiting Tibet. From April, the low temperatures stop falling below zero, and the blooming plants and flowers start to transform the landscape. The mild to warm temperatures during this time create comfortable conditions for all the outdoor exploring you’ll be doing.

During April-May and September-October, the chance of rain is low, making for excellent visibility of the stunning landscapes. While summer is the rainy season, the rains tend to drop in the late afternoon or at night, rarely obstructing your journey. The consistently warmer weather from April to October keeps the roads and trails open, so you can visit more places across the plateau.

Yamdrok LakeVisiting Yamdrok Lake in spring or autumn is suggested.

Winter has some unique advantages for some travelers. Some areas of Tibet, such as Lhasa or Shigatse, don’t get extremely cold. Temperatures for much of the day stay well above 0°c throughout the winter. Fewer tourists travel to Tibet during the winter. Popular attractions like Potala Palace and even Everest Base Camp stay open all year and are rarely crowded in the winter. It is possible to find good deals on hotels, food, and tour packages during this time.

Visit Tibet EBC in winterTourists can also visit Tibet Everest Base Camp in winter.

Best Time to Visit Nepal: March to May and September to November

Nepal in the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are considered the best times to visit. The blooming flowers in the spring create beautiful landscapes in the mild and pleasant weather. In autumn, conditions are reliable, stable, and comfortable. Both seasons have excellent visibility, with many days of clear skies. Conditions are perfect for trekking through the beautiful natural scenery and taking in views of the mountains.

Nepal Everest Base Camp trekkingSpring and autumn are the best seasons for trekking to Nepal's Everest Base Camp.

Similar to Tibet, there are fewer visitors to Nepal during the winter. You can often encounter a lively hiking atmosphere during the spring and autumn peak seasons, but if you prefer smaller crowds, winter is a better time to go.

It is often best to avoid traveling during the summer from June to August. The monsoon season brings heavy rains, sometimes leading to flooding or landslides. Some trekking routes may not be accessible during this season.

Best Time to Visit Tibet and Nepal Together: Spring and Autumn

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Tibet and Nepal together. In both regions, you’ll find excellent outdoor trekking conditions and can travel seamlessly between the two places. Clear skies provide superb visibility for the stunning Himalayan landscapes, and the mild weather is perfect for sightseeing.

Mighty HimalayasYou will cross the mighty Himalayas on the route from Kathmamdu to Lhasa.

The overlapping ideal visiting conditions mean you can enjoy the diverse range of experiences found in a combined Tibet-Nepal trip. Both Lhasa and Kathmandu are full of important historic locations where you can immerse yourself in local culture. Places such as Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa hold deep significance for the people there.

Traveling overland between the two cities is an incredible journey that passes through breathtaking landscapes. The border crossing is in the beautiful Gyirong Valley, and then the route travels up through the Himalayan foothills and usually includes an overnight stay at Everest Base Camp.

Tibet and Nepal both offer exciting trekking routes. In Tibet, you can take on the challenge of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, circumambulating the sacred mountain. Nepal’s renowned trekking routes include the Annapurna Circuit and trekking through Langtang Valley.

What to Pack for Visiting Tibet and Nepal Together

Travel Documents for Tibet and Nepal

Preparing travel documentation for visiting Tibet and Nepal together varies slightly depending on which region you visit first. For China, international visitors to Tibet require a Tibet Travel Permit. When you book a tour with us, we will take care of that process for you once you have obtained your China Tourist Visa. If you are from a country eligible for visa-free entry to China, we can apply for the Tibet Travel Permit directly.

Tibet Travel PermitTibet Travel Permit is required for visiting Tibet.

Additional permits may be required depending on where you are visiting in Tibet. For example, an Alien’s Travel Permit, Military Entry Permit, and Foreign Affairs Permit are needed to visit Mount Kailash. We will also take care of these permits on your behalf.

Nepal has a visa on-arrival available, so entry to Nepal from Tibet is convenient. Entering China from Nepal requires a Chinese Group Visa that can be applied for at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. The visa will cancel any other Chinese visas, so if you already have a visa for China, we recommend starting in Tibet.

Essential Clothing and Personal Care Items

For your packing, there are some things that you will need to include, as Tibet can get quite cold, especially at night. Warm clothes - sweaters, fleece, thick coats, and boots - are essential. If you are traveling in winter, sunglasses are advised to prevent snow blindness. Lip balm is also essential, as the wind can be chaffing to the lips. It is advisable to include some snacks in your pack, as you will need to replenish energy quickly in the high altitudes, and a basic first aid kit, with altitude sickness medication, in case it is needed.

For the Nepal part of your trip, you will not need such warm clothes, as the altitude is much lower, and the temperature much higher, once you get down from the Himalayan region. It should be noted that you would be walking on mostly unpaved roads in most of Nepal, outside the cities, so your trekking boots will be helpful there. In Kathmandu, during the peak months, the weather is mild, but summer (mid-June to mid-September) is also monsoon season, so your waterproof jacket may be necessary too.

Other than that, you can get away with light polo shirts or cotton shirts and light pants or shorts for most things. Sandals can also be worn if you are not trekking, as the cities have paved roads, and it is warm enough, though not too hot – around 23°C is the maximum in the summer months.

Conclusion

The experience of seeing the Himalayan region of Tibet and Nepal together, combined with the other sites in both places, will be something you never forget. Fortunately, the climates in both areas offer two overlapping seasons with comfortable conditions for visiting. Spring and autumn are great times to be outside exploring the culture and natural scenery of these remote and exotic destinations. Contact us to find out more and start planning your combined Tibet and Nepal tour.

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